Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 teams that emerge losers

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 30: General manger of the Baltimore Orioles on the field before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden yards on April 30, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 30: General manger of the Baltimore Orioles on the field before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden yards on April 30, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JULY 28: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 28, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JULY 28: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 28, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

2. Houston Astros

Sure, calling a team that has a 16-game lead in what was supposed to be a tough division a loser at the trade deadline might feel like a stretch, but hear me out. Of all the teams currently leading their divisions, the Astros did the least at the deadline. Their only major move was to acquire left-hander Francisco Liriano with the hopes of making him a useful reliever.

Liriano may actually be forced into the starting rotation, with All-Star Lance McCullers sent to the disabled list with back trouble. The Toronto Blue Jays rebuilt Liriano into a useful starter after trading for him last July, but his command has abandoned him so far this year. Can he be trusted in the late innings of a playoff game? That is something he will have to prove in the coming weeks.

The Astros have worked hard to build up an impressive amount of depth in their farm system. They were linked to Zach Britton most of the day on July 31, but nothing came of it. With Francis Martes, Derek Fisher, Kyle Tucker or Alex Bregman available to be used to headline a package for Britton, it’s unclear how aggressive the Astros were in their pursuit.

Heading into August and September, the Astros have big questions in their starting rotation and bullpen. Dallas Keuchel was shelled in his first start back from a nerve injury and McCullers was showing signs of wearing down before his back injury. The Astros can put up five or six runs a game in the regular season against almost anyone, but that gets harder to do in October. Here’s the bottom line — the Astros had a chance to fix at least one of their glaring flaws at the deadline and failed to do so.

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